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  • WWE Fastlane 2021: 1 title that could change hands and 4 that won’t – Roman Reigns’ secret weapon, top superstar to turn heel? 

WWE Fastlane 2021: 1 title that could change hands and 4 that won’t – Roman Reigns’ secret weapon, top superstar to turn heel? 

By Shruti Sadbhav
Modified Mar 20, 2021 23:20 IST
The upcoming title matches can alter the WrestleMania card
The upcoming title matches can alter the WrestleMania card

We are all set for WWE Fastlane, the final pay-per-view before WrestleMania. Some of the top superstars in the promotion are eyeing wins to seal their spot on the WrestleMania match card. Others are looking to make the most of their one shot at altering their current status on RAW and SmackDown.

Apart from the four title matches confirmed for WWE Fastlane, we will also see three other exciting bouts. Alexa Bliss will take on Randy Orton in an intergender match. Drew McIntyre will face Sheamus in a No Holds Barred match. And lastly, Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura will face each other in a singles match.

While these matches look promising, social media is buzzing with the prospects of the title matches. After all, it takes only a perfectly-timed moment to win or lose the championship.

In this article, we will take a look at the title that could change hands at WWE Fastlane and the ones that probably won’t.

#1 Won’t change hands at WWE Fastlane: Universal Championship

Roman Reigns always finds a way
Roman Reigns always finds a way

At WWE Fastlane, Roman Reigns will put his Universal Championship on the line in a match against Daniel Bryan. Both superstars share a long history in the promotion, and Bryan has defeated The Tribal Chief in the past. Their last title match was at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view last month, and it ended with Reigns retaining his championship.

Bryan believes that Reigns had an unfair advantage during that match. He is determined to end Reigns’ title reign at WWE Fastlane, but the Universal Champion will indeed have a trick or two up his sleeve. Ever since he turned heel, Reigns has relied on unconventional methods to win all his titles. Most of the time, we have seen Jey Uso run a crucial interference to help The Tribal Chief.

Interestingly, both Edge and Daniel Bryan defeated Jey Uso to gain their respective advantages. Bryan got a title match, and Edge will now be a special enforcer in that bout. This undoubtedly irked Reigns, who expected Uso to take care of the job. Now, the latter will look to make up for letting things get out of hand before WWE Fastlane.

This match could also see Jimmy Uso’s surprise return. He has recovered from the injury and is reportedly preparing to make his in-ring return. This would be a great way to add Jimmy Uso to Reigns’ entourage as both Bryan and Edge are only expecting Jey Uso to cause trouble. We also know that Edge wants his match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Even he could have a few plans up his sleeve for WWE Fastlane.

Regardless of how things turn out, Reigns is expected to find a way to walk out of WWE Fastlane with his Universal Championship. After all, he has always had an upper-hand in his mind games and backstage politics in his recent feuds.

#2 Won’t change hands at WWE Fastlane: United States Championship

This loss will have a big impact on RETRIBUTION
This loss will have a big impact on RETRIBUTION

Mustafa Ali demanded a title match at WWE Fastlane as he wanted another shot at Riddle’s United States Championship. The match was recently added to the pay-per-view card, and both superstars are set to face each other once again. Considering the feud's build-up and overall narration, it is unlikely that Riddle will lose his title on Sunday.

Ali has blamed his fellow RETRIBUTION members for all his losses. The other members of the faction are evidently annoyed with their leader’s behavior, and T-Bar might be the first one to hit back. He recently teased a shift in character on social media. Thus, a loss for Ali and his subsequent outburst at WWE Fastlane will help set up a good feud for the leadership of RETRIBUTION.

The infamous stable has lost momentum on RAW and is in desperate need of reviving themselves. Plotting a betrayal or confrontation is one of the best ways to involve them in new storylines. As for Riddle, he needs to retain his championship at WWE Fastlane so that he can feud with Keith Lee when the latter eventually returns.

#3 Won’t change hands at WWE Fastlane: Women’s Tag Team Championships

The Women's tag team champions should retain their titles
The Women's tag team champions should retain their titles

Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler will put their women’s tag team titles on the line against Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair at WWE Fastlane. The two teams met at Elimination Chamber in the same title match. That contest ended in favor of the champions, who have continued to make regular appearances on SmackDown over the last month.

Jax even challenged Banks for the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the Blue brand’s go-home show before WWE Fastlane. Banks retained her title after interference from Baszler went wrong. Previously, the creative had only teased the budding tension between Banks and Belair owing to their upcoming match at WrestleMania.

Now, there seems to be a little bit of conflict between Jax and Baszler as well. Jax even abandoned her tag team partner during the latter’s match on SmackDown. This led to Baszler being attacked by Natalya and Tamina. The women’s tag team champions will have to get on the same page before their title defense at WWE Fastlane. They might eventually lose their titles to Natalya and Tamina, leading to Jax and Baszler splitting up.

#4 Won’t change hands at WWE Fastlane: WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships

The WWE SmackDown Championship match could be added to the card
The WWE SmackDown Championship match could be added to the card

SmackDown delivered an eventful episode before WWE Fastlane. One segment on the show showed us a standoff between four tag teams - Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, Rey and Dominik Mysterio, The Alpha Academy, and The Street Profits. It is possible that Roode and Ziggler will have to defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championships at WWE Fastlane against all three teams.

The last few weeks have seen exciting developments in the SmackDown tag team division. A lot of teams started competing well, and it created a lot of excitement around the possible feuds. Otis and Chad Gable are doing great as heels. They are brutal and have convinced the viewers of their potential. Dominik Mysterio is once again looking good inside the ring, and it seems like he is inching closer to his breakout moment. WWE Fastlane could determine the best direction for these superstars.

A match between all four teams will help identify Ziggler and Roode's best challengers ahead of WrestleMania. Since WWE Fastlane only has four title matches confirmed for the night, we could see another one being added to the pre-show. Even if this match doesn’t seem huge on paper, it is an important one that can take the tag team division out of an unfortunate slumber.

#5 Could change hands at WWE Fastlane: Intercontinental Championship

Apollo Crews will look to make a big statement at WWE Fastlane
Apollo Crews will look to make a big statement at WWE Fastlane

At WWE Fastlane, Big E will put his Intercontinental Championship on the line against Apollo Crews. The latter recently turned heel and embraced the gimmick of a Nigerian Prince on SmackDown. He even assaulted Big E to a point where the champion had to ask for medical help. Both superstars have been involved in intense altercations in the weeks leading up to their title match.

Big E appears to be the favorite to win this title match at WWE Fastlane. However, his loss might prove beneficial for both superstars. A title win for Crews will help add more credibility to his gimmick. He can then continue his feud with Big E until WrestleMania, where the latter can get a big win in front of the crowd. The rivalry will do more than enough to cement Crews as a big threat on the SmackDown roster.

Even if that doesn’t happen, losing the Intercontinental Championship will only free Big E to go after Roman Reigns. He is already one of the company's top babyfaces and will be brilliant in a title feud against the Universal Champion. Even though the title change at WWE Fastlane sets up several exciting possibilities, there is an equal chance that Big E will retain his gold at the upcoming pay-per-view.

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